Silversea Cruises officially welcomed Silver Origin to its fleet with a ceremony held in San Cristobal, the Galápagos Islands in late February. The destination-specific, 100-guest vessel was delivered to the ultra-luxury cruise line last year and has been in operation since June.
Guests aboard a recent Galápagos voyage took to the water on Silver Origin’s Zodiacs, raising a glass of champagne as Silversea formally welcomed the ship to its fleet of 10, before Johanna Carrión, conservationist and permanent resident of the Galápagos, was unveiled as the ship’s Godmother.
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A tradition of Royal Caribbean Group, a bagpipe performance initiated the intimate naming ceremony, which marked Jason Liberty’s first ship christening as the new President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. Liberty co-hosted the event with Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises; Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer, Silversea Cruises; and Fernando Delgado, Vice President, Silversea Cruises Ecuador. Escorted by Captain Karin Chacon, Johanna Carrión made her first address to Silver Origin’s guests as the ship’s Godmother, before Bishop Patricio Bonilla blessed the vessel.
“My heartfelt congratulations to the Silversea team on this milestone,” said Liberty. “Silversea’s efforts to support long-term conservation here in the Galapagos Islands speak to our commitment to the environment. Our approach is built on the mantra that ‘respect for the oceans is not a choice, it’s a way of life.'”
Roberto Martinoli said: “Beyond just visiting the most beautiful corners of our planet, Silversea aims to enrich each destination. This is especially true in the Galápagos Islands. Silver Origin is our strongest means to inspire travellers to safeguard the wellbeing of this beautiful archipelago for future generations.
“We are honoured to welcome Johanna Carrión to the extended family as the official Godmother of Silver Origin. Johanna’s tireless efforts to champion conservation in the Galápagos make her the perfect ambassador for our cruise line.”
Johanna Carrión is the Executive Director and CEO of the Scalesia Foundation – an educational foundation, supported by Silversea Cruises, that champions the long-term conservation of the Galápagos through education. Silversea selected Carrión for the role of Silver Origin’s Godmother due to her unwavering commitment to sustainability and her passion for benefiting future generations with hands-on, conservation-focused education in the Galápagos. Her ethos matches that of Silversea – both strive to safeguard this treasured destination and its communities.
“Silversea’s support for the Scalesia Foundation helps to safeguard the wellbeing of the Galápagos Islands for generations to come. I look forward to strengthening the collaboration between Silversea Cruises and the Scalesia Foundation, as we continue to foster long-term conservation through education on sustainability,” Carrión said.